Tamale, Aug 1, GNA - Mr. Solomon Agampim, Northern

Regional Manager of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), has

advised the public to monitor conditions under which foods they

consume are prepared. Mr. Agampim said reported cases of food borne disease in 2007

stood at a staggering figure of 297,104 and called for an effective

collaboration between the FDB and other stakeholders to find a

lasting solution to the problem. The FDB Manager made the call on Thursday at the Sixth

National Food Safety Week Celebration organized by his outfit in

Tamale. The celebration which was under the theme, "Clean Markets,

Safe Food, a Healthy People," was to remind the consuming public

of the increasing health and socio-economic importance of food

safety. Mr. Agampim said the FDB in collaboration with the Ghana

Tourist Board (GTB) had inspected almost all food service

premises in the region and organized workshops on food handling

and hygienic practices. He said the FDB was however facing challenges in the region

with regards to food safety issues. He said machines used by food blending by vendors in the

region were made of cast iron instead of stainless steel and were

painted or coated with wall paint which does not augur well for the

health of consumers. Mr. Agampim mentioned some of the unhygienic practices under

which food items were produced as carrying meat on bare backs or

rickety bicycles, citing of food preparation in areas close to toilets

or urinals, exposing of iodated salts to the scorching sun and refusal

of most food vendors to go in for medical examination as other

challenges facing the board in the region. He said regulatory measures could not fully achieve their

intended purpose without the cooperation and active participation of

all stakeholders and called for the cooperation of the general public

to ensure food safety.